I’m Being Mistaken for a Blackmailer 9

Chapter 9- The Beggar (2)

 

10 minutes after arriving at the forest.

The carriage hadn’t moved an inch.

Jackson, the hunter hired as a forest guide, studied the knight’s expression.

“Um… Sir Knight? Did I do something wrong?”

“No. Wait a moment.”

Perok shook his head.

“The Young Master is organizing his thoughts.”

“Ah, yes! Understood!”

Jackson tactfully stepped back.

Perok didn’t stop him.

Honestly, even Perok couldn’t grasp Evan’s intentions.

‘What could that beggar be, that he’s been staring without moving for 10 minutes?’

Evan’s eyes, barely visible through the carriage window.

They showed no emotion whatsoever.

It was definitely strange.

It meant he had deceived the eyes of Perok, who had qualified to reach the Sword Master level after rising to top-tier Expert level.

This meant one of two things.

Either he was stronger than Perok, or he possessed an ancient relic that could deceive eyes and hearing.

‘……Both possibilities exist.’

Though reluctant to admit it, it wasn’t impossible.

The possibility that Evan’s level could be higher than Perok’s.

Just as mages reach the supreme realm by gaining enlightenment and understanding magical truth-

Priests reach the supreme realm by proving their faith and accepting divine power-

And blacksmiths reach the supreme realm by listening to the sound of their hammering.

Alchemists too could reach it through similar methods.

For example, by committing ‘taboos’-

‘……But he probably hasn’t committed taboos yet.’

Honestly, he couldn’t be certain.

The rumors about Evan spread through the underworld.

If even half of them were true, he might have already challenged ‘taboos’.

But if he really broke the taboo and reached such a high level.

By now, Perok might have become not a human, but a chimera, or an experimental subject.

‘I should pray that’s not the case.’

He probably just got lucky and obtained a rare relic or artifact.

Or made one.

Evan was an excellent alchemist.

If needed, wouldn’t he just make one?

With the Duke Alcart family’s wealth and fame, getting materials would be as easy as eating cold porridge.

Even if he’s human.

‘Surely… he’s not planning to use that old man as a test subject?’

Human experimentation.

As long as the law doesn’t catch on, there wouldn’t be any problems.

The taboos of alchemy are gold creation and resurrection of the dead.

Only these two.

‘…It’s not strange.’

Grinding up humans to create results.

It was something ordinary people couldn’t do.

But the person in question is Evan Alcart.

Perok knew his true nature.

Wouldn’t that ruthless alchemist be capable of grinding up a single human?

‘…I hope he restrains himself for now.’

If not, I’ll have to kill this innocent hunter too.

Perok quietly caressed his sword handle.

Hoping that Evan would make the right decision as soon as possible.

***

Inside the carriage.

Evan, who had been secretly watching the Dark King, made his decision.

‘…I’ve decided.’

Evan had two options to consider.

First, pretend not to know.

Act as if he hadn’t seen the Dark King, remain indifferent.

Second, acknowledge him.

Approach him, greet him, and have a conversation.

Like a real man or social butterfly!

‘The latter is a bit difficult, though.’

It absolutely wasn’t because Evan was socially awkward.

It was simply because he knew how much the Dark King valued promises.

Trust.

Once words are spoken, they carry weight and must be held accountable.

The Dark King had always kept his promises while saying this.

‘Meeting now would technically be breaking the promise, right?’

The Dark King clearly said to meet ‘tomorrow.’

Whether accepted or not, the Dark King made a promise.

Evan, who needed to maintain a good relationship with the Dark King, had to keep it.

Maintaining a good relationship with the Dark King, the main supporter.

That was Evan’s goal after all.

‘Alright. This time I’ll pretend not to know.’

Meeting now would be breaking trust.

The promised meeting is tomorrow.

He was just trying to faithfully keep that.

It absolutely wasn’t because he was scared or wasn’t mentally prepared.

“Dolph, Lapis.”

“Yes!”

“Ah. Yes.”

“Let’s get off soon.”

Dolph and Lapis faithfully nodded.

Neither asked why Evan had pondered for so long.

Lapis came running over and held his hand.

On the other hand, she was munching on a carrot.

Hmm, yes. With these hands she crushed the Dark King’s disciple.

‘…Could she fight the Dark King too?’

Not that I’m telling her to fight.

Just in case the Dark King tries to kill us, we need to be able to defend ourselves.

Evan quietly asked.

“Lapis. Can you see that old man outside?”

“Hmm? Yes.”

“Anything unusual?”

“Umm…”

Lapis narrowed her red eyes.

“A beggar…?”

“…Besides that. Is he the same as the person who threw daggers at me?”

“Hmm… other than them both being old men… I couldn’t see their faces…”

She can’t be certain, huh.

That’s disappointing.

“But the feeling seems similar…”

“Anything else?”

“The smell is really awful. Like rotting animal carcasses…”

The smell of rotting corpses?

Ah.

Evan understood.

‘It means it’s been a while since he killed someone.’

That’s a relief.

Evan felt reassured.

Though he wasn’t sure why it specifically smelled like rotting animal carcasses.

“…Lapis. Lastly, can you tell how strong that person is?”

“Hmm… he’s much stronger than that man we saw last time… umm, this much? Thiiiis much?”

Lapis waved her arms around.

Though he wasn’t sure exactly how much, it seemed the difference was significant.

“Can Lapis win?”

“Umm…”

Lapis hesitated for a moment.

After thinking for a while, Lapis held up three fingers.

“3 minutes?”

“Mhmm.”

Shake shake of the head.

“30 minutes?”

“Mmhmm.”

Nod.

Being able to hold out against the Dark King for 30 minutes, that must be what it means.

‘That’s amazing?’

It seemed like I could worry a little less about dying.

Glance.

Lapis, who was reading the atmosphere, carefully asked.

“……By any chance, is he an extremely dangerous person?”

“No. Just an ordinary beggar.”

Evan firmly denied.

Once you pretend not to know, denying is essential.

……Ah, is it suspicious that I even know he’s an ordinary beggar?

“……That’s probably the case.”

So I carefully added.

Lapis tilted their head.

“Probably?”

“Because I don’t know who they are.”

“Ah.”

“I just asked because they were in front of the forest.”

Evan gave Dolph a signal with his eyes.

The loyal Dolph understood Evan’s eye signal.

Like zipping up his mouth, Dolph closed it shut.

Satisfied, he nodded.

“Dolsoe. No, Dolph. Give me more vegetables.”

“Here you go.”

Dolph handed over one of the carrots he always carries around.

Lapis made a satisfied expression and crunched into the carrot.

“Dolph. Would you open the door?”

“Yes! Let’s finish quickly and head back!”

Dolph energetically opened the carriage door.

With a hup, he got down and supported Evan.

Perok, who was waiting outside, bowed his head politely.

“Have you finished your thoughts?”

“……Yes.”

Evan nodded.

While inwardly calming his startled heart from being spoken to as soon as he came out.

“……Everything is sorted out.”

“Congratulations.”

Perok didn’t ask questions like what he had been contemplating.

Evan was inwardly relieved.

“Young master. This person is the hunter who will be guiding us today.”

“Hello, young master.”

Perok introduced the man standing beside him.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be in his 40s.

The man wearing sleek leather armor with a bow on his back bowed his head.

“I am Jackson, who will be guiding you through the forest today, young master.”

“……Please take care of me.”

Evan also nodded slightly while facing him.

Despite the difference in social status, Jackson was old enough to be his father.

The age gap was too big to treat him casually or disrespectfully.

“……”

But Jackson couldn’t help but be surprised at receiving the greeting.

A noble youth who returns greetings?

‘This is the first time I’ve met such a noble youth.’

Jackson was a hunter with 30 years of experience.

Of course, he had plenty of experience.

He had also been burned by nobles many times.

‘This is the complete opposite of the rumors.’

A glint appeared in Perok’s eyes.

“Young master. Is there anything else you need to prepare before entering the forest? The luggage differs depending on how many days you’ll stay.”

“It’s fine.”

Evan shook his head.

“I plan to just collect the luminous calming herb and leave today. We’ll finish before sunset.”

“!”

Jackson was surprised once again.

A luminous calming herb?

Though difficult to obtain, it wasn’t surprising enough to be shocked about.

The surprising part was.

‘He’s even telling us the schedule and purpose?’

Evan’s kindness.

Usually nobles don’t share their schedules.

Most would get angry saying ‘Hmph, is that important? You should just prepare everything properly!’

Jackson’s expression softened.

‘This employer gives me a good feeling.’

“Do you know where the luminous calming herb is located?”

“Yes. We just need to keep going this way.”

Jackson politely pointed toward the center of the forest.

A luminous calming herb only grows in the center of the forest.

The reason was because it was a spot where humidity, temperature, and ‘sunlight’ were optimal.

There was even a small pond, making it the perfect place for growth.

However,

“There are many monsters nearby. So you need to be careful.”

“We will protect you thoroughly.”

“It’s fine.”

Evan dismissed their concerns.

He wasn’t scared at all about going into the forest interior.

Why?

Because he wasn’t going to go in.

“How long does it take to reach the center?”

“It won’t take long. Probably when the sun has passed its peak in the sky and tilted slightly.”

Then the distance was sufficient.

“No. 5, No. 4. Golem Dog.”

Evan gestured behind him.

No. 5 who could inject something like syringes.

No. 4 with long arms.

And Golem Dog who specializes in finding things or moving around.

Thump, thump!

They walked forward.

The knights gave questioning looks.

Instead of answering, Evan looked at the trees while drawing up magical power.

The basics of Transmutation is [Understanding]. For that, he learned the 2nd tier magic [Analysis Eye].

One of the few magics he possessed.

‘The composition is similar to normal trees.’

Then the preparation for Transmutation was complete.

Evan touched the ground.

At that moment.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!

The ground shook greatly and the trees twisted.

Like rubber, they [Decomposed], bent, curved, cleared away, and were [Transmuted].

The range was so wide it couldn’t be seen with both eyes.

Evan’s advantage.

The range limitation of [Transmutation].

Usually Transmutation only applied to parts touched by hand, or to objects.

Evan had no such limitation.

If objects were connected, he could change them as long as his magical power could handle it.

Kuguuuuu.

‘This should be enough?’

Quite a bit of magical power was used up.

Evan drank a strawberry-flavored small high-grade magic potion from his chest.

Wiping his mouth, he ordered the golems.

“Golems. All of you head out. You know? The Calming Herb. Be careful not to damage the roots when you bring it.”

No. 5, No. 4, and Golem Dog nodded and entered the forest.

Their sturdy backs looked quite magnificent.

Like protagonists.

‘……Should I just go in with them? I do have the Living Golem.’

Honestly, Evan was also in his youth.

An age when blood and vigor are boiling.

He had the urge to go in and participate in the activity.

However,

“Achoo!”

His nose got itchy and he sneezed.

His body felt slightly chilly, seeming like he might catch a cold.

‘Ugh, this damn body.’

If it weren’t for this, right?

I could have been active like the protagonist too.

It’s not that Evan is a beta male, but this world makes him into a beta male……

Kwaaah!

At that moment, a thunderous sound came from the forest.

His body froze stiff.

Is this what they call Fear or whatever?

“Evan.”

Lapis quietly approached and held Evan’s hand.

“You shouldn’t go inside. It’s dangerous.”

“That’s right, young master! Let’s wait here quietly!”

“Young master. The inside is dangerous. Leaving it to the golem is the best option.”

“A-amazing, young master. How did you think to leave the gathering to the golem……”

Everyone stopped Evan.

With occasional praise mixed in.

“Ahem.”

Evan cleared his throat softly.

It’s absolutely not that he’s not going in because he’s scared, but because everyone is stopping him.

“I will follow everyone’s wishes.”

“As expected, Evan is the best.”

“As expected, the young master is the greatest.”

Lapis laughed with a “hehe,” and Dolph gave a thumbs up.

Phew.

Evan sat on the carriage with relief.

‘Should I make some potions while waiting?’

That’s when it happened.

“No! You mustn’t enter that forest today!”

A skinny, old voice.

Thud, Evan’s body stiffened with tension.

He forcefully turned his head to the side.

The beggar, no, the Dark King, who had been sleeping until just now.

Holding several black pebbles in his hand, he was shouting at us.

“Today is full of ominous signs! The ground is damp and more than three wolves howled together! The Great Demon King Angol has predicted ill fortune! If you go in today, everyone will die!”

…While saying strange things.